Centre triumphs over polished Brodskys

But, as good as the Michael Fowler Centre can be for larger forces, it defeats the string quartet in matters of impact and dynamics

THIS was Chamber Music New Zealand’s first concert of the year in Wellington, and it immediately drew attention to the problem of the past couple of years: Can the Michael Fowler Centre be seen as a proper replacement for the Wellington Town Hall in music for small string groups?

Both are really too large for a string quartet, but the acoustic of the older building compensates in thrilling fashion.

But, as good as the Michael Fowler Centre can be for larger forces, it defeats the string quartet in matters of impact and dynamics for all except those sitting very close to the players.

This made things difficult for the two larger works in the Brodsky Quartet programme – the Bartok String Quartet No 5 failed to make a real impact in its more intensely energetic moments, although the mysterious slow movements were just fine.

Much the same could be said of the mighty String Quartet in C Sharp Minor Op 131 by Beethoven.

Its drama was muted and although the adagio was beautifully rapt it came after a scherzo that was a hint rushed, and the dramatic finale was fatally dissipated in the sound of the hall.

The playing itself was wonderfully polished and the opening two pieces presented no problems. The Chaconne by Henry Purcell, sensitively arranged by Benjamin Britten, was immediately followed by Britten’s own Poeme , composed when he was just 15.

Wonderfully assured with astonishing harmonic surety it already has the fingerprints of the mature Britten as well as more than a nod to the String Quartet by Debussy.

Fine performance: The Brodsky Quartet were wonderfully polished in their Wellington concert, despite the acoustic limits of the Michael Fowler Centre. Brodsky Quartet (Daniel Rowland, Ian Belton, Paul Cassidy, Jacqueline Thomas) Music by Purcell,...